February 28, 2014 9:25pm ESTFebruary 28, 2014 8:26pm ESTBrad Keselowski is a fan of NASCAR's new qualifying format, and not just because he earned the pole for Sunday's race at Phoenix. “This qualifying format really does suit my style a lot better," the 2012 Cup champ says.Brad Keselowski(AP Photo)

“It gives me a chance to learn and apply, which to me was instrumental in our success today.”

It was the first time Cup drivers participated in the new format, which at short tracks such as the 1-mile PIR consists of a 30-minute session where all cars on the track that determines spots 13 to 43. The 12 drivers who posted the fastest one-lap speeds advanced to a final 10-minute session to determine spots 1 to 12.

“It’s a lot more nerve-wracking (than single-car qualifying),” Keselowski said. “There’s usually a pretty good rule of thumb that if it’s a lot more nerve-wracking for drivers, it’s a lot more fun for our fans and partners.”

Keselowski, who was on the radio talking to his team throughout the first session when he was out of the car, turned a track-record lap in the final session of 139.384 mph, followed by Logano at 139.265. Logano had posted the best lap in the opening 30-minute session.

“It’s interesting how small little format changes like this can really favor or disfavor certain teams and individuals,” Keselowski said. “This one is one that obviously we’ve been able to take like a fish to water. Hopefully we can continue to do that.”

The 30-minute session included a bizarre twist where drivers cruised around the track at minimal speed just to cool the engine fluids. Because cars must remain on pit road during the qualifying session, NASCAR for safety reasons was not allowing teams to use generators to cool fluids while the cars were parked.

Drivers didn’t turn laps throughout the full allotment in the sessions because they cannot change tires.

“Cooling (on the track) is dumb,” said Stewart-Haas Racing driver Kevin Harvick. “They need to let everybody cool the cars down so you don’t have the cars running half-speed out there.

“We’ve been telling them that for weeks. … One of these times somebody is going to get clobbered in the back. The concept is awesome. I like the pace of qualifying, they just need to let us cool them down.”

The old format was single-car runs doing two laps apiece. NASCAR went to this format to make it more exciting for fans. Now drivers must have to work to make sure they get a clean line.

“There were points in time where it was extremely chaotic, especially after a caution when the track first opens,” said six-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson.

“The 12 (drivers) on the track (at the end) was pretty easy. It was easy to find a hole.”

While there was some speculation that drivers wouldn’t be able to improve their times during the session, some did as they were allowed to make tape adjustments, tire pressure adjustments and track bar adjustments and increase/decrease wedge.

“We did go faster our second time out,” said Martin Truex Jr. “But obviously we were pretty far off for some reason. … When you’re stuck on the same set of tires, it’s going to really be difficult to make a big improvement.”